Graham had just returned from a trip to Ukraine. He died Saturday evening, July 11, his office announced Sunday. He was 71.
"On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness," his office said in a statement posted to X. "Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."
According to CNBC, a spokeswoman for Graham said she had no additional information on the circumstances of his passing and that more details would be released in the coming days. Graham had spoken with reporters in Kyiv on Friday, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss U.S. sanctions against Russia and Ukraine's air defenses. Reuters reported the visit, and a photo released by Zelenskyy's office showed Graham smiling and shaking hands with the Ukrainian leader.
Graham served as a senator for 23 years, first elected in 2002. Before that, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives, having been elected as part of an influential class of Republicans in 1994. His long tenure placed him on several powerful committees. Most recently he chaired the Senate Budget Committee and served on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works committees.
He had been running for reelection to a fifth six-year term in what was considered a safe Republican seat in South Carolina. Under state law, Gov. Henry McMaster has until Jan. 3, 2027, to fill the seat for Graham's current term. The state will also need to hold an election on Aug. 11 to replace Graham on the November ballot. The filing period opens the second Tuesday after a candidate's death, which would fall on July 21. McMaster's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rep. Nancy Mace, who lost her bid for governor in a Republican primary in June, is described as strongly considering a run for Graham's Senate seat, according to a person familiar with her thinking.
Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday morning. It would have been his 64th appearance on the program, according to host Kristen Welker. Instead, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined to reflect on Graham's life and legacy.
Graham's death leaves Republicans without a key Senate vote at a critical moment. Prior to his death, Republicans held a 53-47 majority. Coupled with Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell's extended medical absence, the vacancy could slow progress on Trump's legislative priorities in the months before the 2026 midterm elections. The seat cannot be filled immediately, as South Carolina law sets specific timelines for appointment and election.
